Cowboy on the Run Read Online Free PDF Page A

swallowed hard, overwhelmed by her own emotions. What was wrong with her? It wasn’t as if she were some love struck teenager. Not anymore.
    “Then last night when I saw him again...and this morning when—” She stopped herself. At least she had enough sense not to mention accusing Nate of killing her steers.
    Guilt twisted her guts. What on earth had possessed her to do such a thing? In her heart, she knew he had nothing to do with the deaths of her cattle. However, she still blamed him.
    She glanced at her father, comforted by the partial smile he returned.
    “I am over him,” she stated. Her mouth tightened in a grim smile. “I’m not stupid enough to love a man like Nate Walker again. Believe me, I learned my lesson the first time. I won’t repeat the same mistake twice.” She tried to sound convincing, but her adamant resolve started to crumble. Jessie picked at a hole in her jeans, tearing at the frayed fabric. Her words didn’t even sound true to her own ears.
    “Besides, I have the twins to think about now.”
    The warmth of her father’s hand on hers consoled her.
    “The twins.”
    Jessie’s head snapped up, her stare returning to his face. Happiness shone in his eyes. Her two children were her father’s pride and joy.
    He patted her knee gingerly. “Well...if I know you...Jessie...you will...figure it out,” he said, speaking in his slow, thoughtful manner. Another lingering result of his stroke. “When it comes...to Nate Walker...you always do,” her dad continued, his words released at a snail’s pace. “Just remember...even you deserve...to be happy.” He paused to take a deep breath, his brow furrowed in thoughtful consideration. “But...sooner or later...you will...have to tell...him.”
    Jessie realized it was all the advice he was going to offer. She’d have to figure it out. And worse, he was right. Sooner or later, she would have to tell Nate about his kids. If he stuck around this time.
    Looking at her father again, she couldn’t help but notice the dark circles underneath his wise, gray eyes. She prayed he wasn’t pushing himself past the point of exhaustion, although she knew her concern was wasted.
    As if he heard her silent worry, he draped his right arm across her shoulder. She returned the hug, wrapping her arms around him and kissing his weathered cheek, welcoming his attention for a few cherished minutes before pulling away. She had more work to do than time and needed to get it done before her shift started at the Lucky Horseshoe Bar.
    She stood, her bones creaking from the physical exertion. She was too young to feel this tired. Shaking off the fatigue, she spared one last, quick scan over the Calhoun land and picked up her favorite cowboy hat, tugging it snugly over her head. She turned back to her father and threw him a quick smile before heading toward the barn where the tractor was stored.
    Jessie hesitated by the fence, her thoughts stopping her in her tracks. You deserve to be happy. Her father’s words echoed in her head. She did deserve to be happy. And up until now, she thought she was.
    That was before last night, and before seeing Nate today. How could he? How could he appear out of thin air and throw another wrench in her life?
    Sooner or later, you’ll have to tell him.
    Her father’s words continued to haunt her, but she ignored the advice, inhaling a deep breath of the country air. Her lungs expanded, taking in the fresh hay and other distinct aromas of the farm.
    She was surrounded by the clucking of the free range chickens, the constant bellows of her hungry steers and the early morning greeting of her pygmy goats. The goats! She’d almost forgotten, needing to check the status of one very pregnant mother to be.
    This was normal. This was something she could depend on. What she had always wanted. Then, why all of a sudden did she feel these doubts?
    Nate Walker.
    Exasperated, she fought the urge to scream. Maybe she should. Followed by a big girl fit